Latest news,U-16 lost in the English channel

Paul Riley · 03-22-10, 04:58 AM

Latest news from BDU concerning our recent loss in the English channel

Fellow UBoat men and women,it pains me to inform you that last night in the early hours of the 12th October 1939 U-16 a type IIA,under the command of Kpt. Franz Weber was finally lost in the English channel after conducting an unsuccessful attack against a British merchant ship.The following is from our last contact with U-16:

12th Oct
0156
AN79,spotted 2 patrol craft,probably French heading SSE,evaded on surface
0215
AN79,merchant spotted heading towards the channel,possibly valid for attack.Moving in to ID,confirmed as British Granville freighter.Preparing for submerged attack at 500m
0240
Fired one at vessel,depth 4m,impact just fore of smoke stack,vessel still afloat,becoming very concerned about the effectiveness of our torpedoes.
Shortly after attack warships heading to our location coming from the directions of Calais and Dover.Instantly submerged to 20m and set a course further into the channel.Must have heard us moving at 2kts silent,came under heavy depth charging,periscope damaged,forward batteries damaged,compressor damaged,heavy flooding in bow section.
0330
unable to halt flooding,picked up again by pursuers of which we count 3 of them,trying desperately to zig zag in no more than 30m of water,heavy depth charge attack hitting bow again,further flooding,UBoat rocking wildly,main light fuses blown,situation becoming critical,unable to maintain contr...

Those were the last harrowing moments of U-16.It brings me to the conclusion that they made the grave error of engaging a ship then staying in the area of attack too long to report the sinking,of which no sinking was reported in this case.Time and time again we advise all captains to leave the area immediately and return later to finish any vessels 'dead in the water'
It also seems that U-16 had been plagued with ill luck right from the start of its career due to ships failing to succumb to their torpedoes.
Their families have been notified and we shall all miss them with a heavy heart.

RConch · 03-22-10, 07:04 AM

The channel is a death trap as in R\L.
I always go between the Shetlands and the Orkneys on the left side of the small island in the middle.
We in U 46 salute our fallen comrades and will avenge this loss.

Paul Riley · 03-22-10, 07:18 AM

I agree.I risked a run through the channel as my patrol grid was in AM 87,just south of Ireland.I had been through the channel before in old careers (pre GWX3 admittedly) and wanted to shave some time off my journey.It was my mistake what happened,and I am confident I will make it through in my new career,as I will be using a VIIB this time which has far greater performance and armament.
Make no mistake,U-16 WILL be avenged this time,I am returning to the fateful site again and then on to AM87

Vipper · 03-22-10, 07:54 AM

30 meters deep in channel? It is like depth charged in bathtub...so narrow and shallow, a nightmare.

Paul Riley · 03-22-10, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vipper

30 meters deep in channel? It is like depth charged in bathtub...so narrow and shallow, a nightmare.

Even more so in a type IIA...BAD idea!

martin1004 · 03-22-10, 08:56 AM

Recently I took a trip trough the channel too. No problems when I sailed as close to the French coast as possible. Was suprised though when I saw an English destroyer just a few km away from Calais port. I usually try to stay out of there but I actually fiddled with my patrol grid and ended up patroling off coast near SW England so instead of taking the massive route over England I decided to take the risk and go through the channel.
The problem was i had 1GB ram then and TC was a real headache in such a busy area and near the coast. Today I added another GB and SHIII feels so much better and smoother, doesn't try my nerves with constant lagging anymore.

Fader_Berg · 03-22-10, 08:58 AM

A type IIA should not be sent off North Sea, I think. Are you sure this captain wasn't acting on hes own initiative?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Riley

...as I will be using a VIIB this time which has far greater performance and armament.

Bah... Type VII are for sissies.

Real men will choose the type II any day.

Paul Riley · 03-22-10, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fader_Berg

Real men will choose the type II any day.

Real idiots you mean,I much prefer the VII's for performance and armament.
The only real use for a type II would possibly be when going through tight areas like Gibraltar,or for prematurely scuttling and sending to the bottom yourself.

Sailor Steve · 03-22-10, 10:57 AM

All boats:

Stay out of the channel. They don't call it "english" for nothing.

BdU

Paul Riley · 03-22-10, 11:57 AM

Its 2nd November 1939 for me at the moment,and just recieved a radio message for all UBoats to abandon any attempts of using the shortcut through the channel...guess what?,I am just west of Bordeaux at the moment and have just come under fire from a small French warship.How the hell did he spot and manage to hit me from such extreme range?

Regardless,I am comitted now being inside the 'net' and will proceed to my grid just south of Ireland,unless HE or the mines dont get me first!
If I survive my channel run I will probably stop using it in the future,and go the bloody long way,and we all know where I mean

NOTE- whats the mine situation like about 20km from the French coastline all the way through the channel?

Fader_Berg · 03-24-10, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Riley

Real idiots you mean,I much prefer the VII's for performance and armament.
The only real use for a type II would possibly be when going through tight areas like Gibraltar,or for prematurely scuttling and sending to the bottom yourself.

No, I actually mean real men.

Of course you do... you're a sissy and need the margins.

Paul Riley · 03-25-10, 07:18 AM

sissy eh?

03-25-10, 08:23 AM

Hmmm.
This looks like some VII vs IX threads of the past.

Side note from a IXaholic.
I realy do like the IID.

After I "die", I was thinking for this as my next carreer path:
IIA for one patrol.
IID until all my POs are made AND a IXB is legitamately available.

Thoughts anyone?

frau kaleun · 03-25-10, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fader_Berg

No, I actually mean real men.
Of course you do... you're a sissy and need the margins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Riley

sissy eh?

:rolls eyes:

Here ya go, ladies:

Just measure 'em and get it over with already.

Paul Riley · 03-25-10, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

:rolls eyes:

Here ya go, ladies:

Just measure 'em and get it over with already.

You will need a 30" widescreen i'm afraid to accomodate me

They don't call me Paul 'the torpedo' for nothing you know.

03-22-10, 04:58 AM	#1
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Latest news,U-16 lost in the English channel Latest news from BDU concerning our recent loss in the English channel Fellow UBoat men and women,it pains me to inform you that last night in the early hours of the 12th October 1939 U-16 a type IIA,under the command of Kpt. Franz Weber was finally lost in the English channel after conducting an unsuccessful attack against a British merchant ship.The following is from our last contact with U-16: 12th Oct 0156 AN79,spotted 2 patrol craft,probably French heading SSE,evaded on surface 0215 AN79,merchant spotted heading towards the channel,possibly valid for attack.Moving in to ID,confirmed as British Granville freighter.Preparing for submerged attack at 500m 0240 Fired one at vessel,depth 4m,impact just fore of smoke stack,vessel still afloat,becoming very concerned about the effectiveness of our torpedoes. Shortly after attack warships heading to our location coming from the directions of Calais and Dover.Instantly submerged to 20m and set a course further into the channel.Must have heard us moving at 2kts silent,came under heavy depth charging,periscope damaged,forward batteries damaged,compressor damaged,heavy flooding in bow section. 0330 unable to halt flooding,picked up again by pursuers of which we count 3 of them,trying desperately to zig zag in no more than 30m of water,heavy depth charge attack hitting bow again,further flooding,UBoat rocking wildly,main light fuses blown,situation becoming critical,unable to maintain contr... Those were the last harrowing moments of U-16.It brings me to the conclusion that they made the grave error of engaging a ship then staying in the area of attack too long to report the sinking,of which no sinking was reported in this case.Time and time again we advise all captains to leave the area immediately and return later to finish any vessels 'dead in the water' It also seems that U-16 had been plagued with ill luck right from the start of its career due to ships failing to succumb to their torpedoes. Their families have been notified and we shall all miss them with a heavy heart. __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes Last edited by Paul Riley; 03-22-10 at 07:23 AM.

03-22-10, 07:04 AM	#2
RConch Captain Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 619 Downloads: 518 Uploads: 0	The channel is a death trap as in R\L. I always go between the Shetlands and the Orkneys on the left side of the small island in the middle. We in U 46 salute our fallen comrades and will avenge this loss. __________________ "Noch und Noch" Prowling the Nord Atlantik with GWX 3.0.

03-22-10, 07:18 AM	#3
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	I agree.I risked a run through the channel as my patrol grid was in AM 87,just south of Ireland.I had been through the channel before in old careers (pre GWX3 admittedly) and wanted to shave some time off my journey.It was my mistake what happened,and I am confident I will make it through in my new career,as I will be using a VIIB this time which has far greater performance and armament. Make no mistake,U-16 WILL be avenged this time,I am returning to the fateful site again and then on to AM87 __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

03-22-10, 10:57 AM	#9
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	All boats: Stay out of the channel. They don't call it "english" for nothing. BdU __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

03-22-10, 11:57 AM	#10
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Its 2nd November 1939 for me at the moment,and just recieved a radio message for all UBoats to abandon any attempts of using the shortcut through the channel...guess what?,I am just west of Bordeaux at the moment and have just come under fire from a small French warship.How the hell did he spot and manage to hit me from such extreme range? Regardless,I am comitted now being inside the 'net' and will proceed to my grid just south of Ireland,unless HE or the mines dont get me first! If I survive my channel run I will probably stop using it in the future,and go the bloody long way,and we all know where I mean NOTE- whats the mine situation like about 20km from the French coastline all the way through the channel? __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

03-22-10, 07:54 AM	#4
Vipper Machinist's Mate Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 122 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	30 meters deep in channel? It is like depth charged in bathtub...so narrow and shallow, a nightmare.

03-22-10, 08:56 AM	#6
martin1004 Sailor man Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 50 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Recently I took a trip trough the channel too. No problems when I sailed as close to the French coast as possible. Was suprised though when I saw an English destroyer just a few km away from Calais port. I usually try to stay out of there but I actually fiddled with my patrol grid and ended up patroling off coast near SW England so instead of taking the massive route over England I decided to take the risk and go through the channel. The problem was i had 1GB ram then and TC was a real headache in such a busy area and near the coast. Today I added another GB and SHIII feels so much better and smoother, doesn't try my nerves with constant lagging anymore.

03-25-10, 07:18 AM	#12
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	sissy eh? __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

03-25-10, 08:23 AM	#13
Snestorm Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Hmmm. This looks like some VII vs IX threads of the past. Side note from a IXaholic. I realy do like the IID. After I "die", I was thinking for this as my next carreer path: IIA for one patrol. IID until all my POs are made AND a IXB is legitamately available. Thoughts anyone?